Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa proposes moratorium on new data center permits
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa proposed a moratorium on new data center permits until lawmakers establish protections for water supplies, electricity costs, property rights and air quality. She also criticized state tax incentives for data centers and said existing projects under construction would not be affected.
Speaking in Abilene ahead of the election, Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa said she would pause permits for new data centers until the Legislature adopts safeguards addressing water use, electricity costs, property rights and air quality. She said communities should have greater input over where and how facilities are built and would prioritize household water needs over data center agreements.
Hinojosa criticized Texas tax incentives for data centers, claiming they cost the state at least $1 billion annually. She cited concerns raised by residents in the Lubbock area about water agreements connected to Project Matador and said she would consider using emergency powers to protect Texans' water access. Her proposal would apply to new permits, not projects already under construction.